What do you think of City Hall's effort to move Naughty but Nice out of its Massachusetts Street location?

Richard Osburn still sells sexually explicit DVDs, bottles of massage oils and an array of devices that go by such names as The Accommodator.

But these days he also is peddling products that would be perfectly acceptable for work: rubber bands and paper clips, each individually packaged in tiny Ziploc baggies and listed for sale at 10 cents apiece.

"I'm in the office-supply business," Osburn says, with a wink.

But even Osburn acknowledges that the I'm-selling-for-the-office gambit may not be enough to keep his 7-year-old shop, Naughty but Nice, in business for much longer.

City inspectors stopped by the shop at 1741 Mass. last week, measuring displays and counting products to see whether he had come into compliance with a city law that prohibits sex shops from operating without a license and from being located in any commercial area other than along a state highway.

Now more than six years after the city's law hit the books, the city's legal team is poised to take Osburn to court to start assessing fines of up to $500 a day or otherwise force him to relocate or close.

"Currently there is a substantial potential for immediate criminal or civil enforcement action for violations of the Land Development Code," said Scott Miller, a staff attorney at City Hall. "We'll leave it at that."

Osburn knows the regulatory assault is coming - he's been warned the enforcement action could come any day now - and this week he let his attorney go, acknowledging that he wouldn't be able to afford the anticipated legal bills. His landlord is getting ready to put the stand-alone building back up for rent.

To increase his inventory of "legitimate" merchandise compared to adult-oriented sex toys, magazines and other products, Osburn has expanded his store's selection. The goal: make Naughty But Nice just like any other clothing, music or bookstore in town, free from the shackles of government regulation.

Among his latest moves:

¢ Acquiring a case of children's cartoons - Felix the Cat, Daffy Duck, etc. - on DVD, for sale alongside a tub of commemorative ball-point pens leftover from the birth of his son in 2001.

¢ Stacking dozens of empty video-cassette cases on the floor, each offered for sale to customers interested in "protecting" their own videos at home.

¢ Buying 4,000 titles from the Lawrence Public Library's used book sale, then offering them for 25 cents apiece or five for $1.

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Naughty but Nice

"It's fantastic that you can come in here and get books, but it's prude to try and force this man out of so-called 'decent society,'" said Lillian Sheain, who bought 15 books, including four dictionaries, at the store Wednesday afternoon - along with a harness and handcuffs. "I think it's absolutely ridiculous."

Osburn himself doesn't expect the moves to actually work. The city is after him and him alone, Osburn said, and he is confident that inspectors will find a way to define even relatively innocuous products - pre-packaged dresses, for example - as sexually explicit items instead of mainstream fashion items he maintains them to be.

Miller, the city's staff attorney, declined to discuss results from inspections, other than to clarify that the city has an overall law that makes it illegal, in the case of Naughty But Nice, to operate at 1741 Mass.

"We have made every effort to attempt to allow Naughty But Nice to organize in a manner that would allow them to continue to operate under the city's ordinances," he said. "When those efforts fail, our only option is to commence enforcement action. :

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"The bottom line: The city cannot ignore blatant violations of the law."

While Osburn still holds out hope that the ACLU might one day offer legal assistance, he's already looking ahead. He plans to keep selling his merchandise by stepping through a "loophole" that the city has yet to address.

And the baggies will be gone.

"I've had to put in idiotic merchandise that I don't have a market for," Osburn said. "But for what I have in mind and what I plan to do, there is no law on the books."

i guess cause its a fairly new law the GRANDFATHER rule dont apply???? why does it make a diffrence if its on a state highway or a business street??? anyone anwser this for me please.... have a great day people! and remember not to forget to go get your paperclips at NBN...

"In summary, child and/or adult pornography is a feature in the lives of many pedophiles and other sex offenders, just as it is a feature in the lives of some persons who do not commit sexual offences. Alternatively, some sex offenders do not use pornography of any kind. There appears to be no strong and consistent evidence that sex offenders are more avid consumers of pornography than other males. A simple, direct causal link between pornography and sexual offending is not supported by the literature."

Do you actually read this stuff rational or is this your irrational knee-jerk response....

Hi folks, I am Robert Osburn, brother of Richard, owner of Naughty but Nice. Now that the attorney had to be let go, there is no longer a need to keep quiet and let a paid representative do the speaking for the LEGAL business that operates at 1741 Mass. St. Within the next few days I will explain the dirty dealings of the current city administrators and some of the past and present city commisioners. Names will be given. Thanks to David Corliss, Scott Miller, and others, a viable business may be forced to close.

The City of Lawrence in 1999 told Richard TWICE that there was no law preventing him from legally opening up his store for what he wanted to sell (they knew the contents--ask Linda Finger) at that location. It was about 2 months after the business was up and running that a kooky city trouble maker by the initials PS was running about like chicken little screaming that the world would end if vibrators were to be sold on Mass. St. (funny how no one from the city ever mentions the movies and mags, its ALWAYS the items that could give a woman pleasure that displeases them so). If NBN were to be a total XXX movie store, it would probably fit into the guidelines of what the city has determined to be in good taste. But items for the ladies, "oh no, we can't have that". They deem packaged lingerie to be pornographic. So one contention Richard has is this: Who is best QUALIFIED to say what is or isn't of an adult nature? They guy running the store or Scott Miller and crew? WHO would you trust on this matter?

How nice, pedophiles can pick up movies to lure children with all in the same stop.

NbN has had SIX years to comply and find a new location. The City has bent over backwards to amicably resolve this. A sex shop is out of character in the current location. Its next to residential areas, a few blocks away from from schools, across the street from a grocery store, and immediately along the main corridor to the heart of Lawrence, downtown.

Surely, Lawrence is above a sex shop as one of the first business greeting visitors to a city having a wonderful history and tradition.

Try the ACLU - they are the group usually most likely to provide free legal help to persons fighting for 1st Amendment rights. Of course, they can pick and choose the cases they want to bring. And, if you have already contacted them and a lot of private attorneys, and been turned down, the chances are high/good that the legal case is one your brother will lose. That is not to say that the policy being advanced is a good idea (or not). But often the inability to find a single attorney willing to take a case (for free is indeed harder) usually means that there isn't an ice cube's chance in hell that the facts and current laws are on your side. Don't like current laws/policies? Change locales (find a city that wants and/or suits you), run for office yourself (selves) or lobby for changes in current laws, ordinances, rules, etc.

Seems to me the discussion is a bit skewed. I believe that Richard knew from the beginning that because of his chosen product line they did not want his business there. From the beginning he knew that they would try to shut him down or force him to move. From the beginning he knew that he was in for a battle.

But, along with that came free publicity and advertising, so he chose to continue with the plan to put his business there. If I am wrong he can correct me, but I find it hard to believe that he ever thought the conflict would just go away and he would be left alone to peddle his movies and toys. A good business person looks for opportunities to get free publicity, like giving to charities, being a "good neighbor", or creating controversy, and that is what he has done. I don't shop there myself, but enough people do to sustain his business, so fine and dandy. I'm not saying that what he is selling is right or wrong, and not saying Lawrence needs to eradicate any business that sells these types of products, the point is that he knew from the start that they didn't want him to sell them at THIS location but he chose to anyway.

Right thing to do Marion? I'd say it should have happened six years ago when he chose to open the shop there even when he knew that enough people didn't want it there. He forced the issue six years ago when he opened the doors and has been riding the wave ever since. Could have chosen to market anything, or open a store somewhere else, but chose this location and product because he knew it would cause a riff and bring him business.

It's not really about sex. or religion, or politics, it's about a guy who gambled on opposition to make a profit and so far it's worked out pretty well for him. Play your little violins for him, shake your fists at the "evil" government and fuddy duddy "God people" who mess everything up, but the fact of the matter is he probably gets a bit of a sales boom every time this happens and he loves it. Keep complaining, sales are up!

Marion, surely there exists some candidates we can elect between the Compton's and the alleged "progressives"....I am certain that Compton and the right wingers would have shut Naughty but Nice down sooner. My problem is with the left leaning commissioners who should be for free and open speech but rather then stand up for our rights they are wringing their hands and shaking their heads over trans fats ...I am an old, new left type that finds them hypocritcal at best ...

You should change the store into a Christian Book Store.

"A sex shop is out of character in the current location. Its next to residential areas, a few blocks away from from schools, across the street from a grocery store, and immediately along the main corridor to the heart of Lawrence, downtown." and "Surely, Lawrence is above a sex shop as one of the first business greeting visitors to a city having a wonderful history and tradition."

Ok first off all those things are irrelevant considering that A) a sex shop isn't the first thing that anyone sees when they enter lawrence and B) Priscillas is out of character as well with it's location by your standards, with the exception that it's not located in your heart of lawrence, on Mass.

I keep looking at the post from offtotheright on October 19, 2006 at 6:49 a.m. Can't you just feel the outrage? Man, some posts can just say so much. Its like getting an 'A' on a paper that is only half the required length. I used to love doing that when I was in school.

Marion, surely there exists some candidates we can elect between the Compton's and the alleged "progressives"....I am certain that Compton and the right wingers would have shut Naughty but Nice down sooner. My problem is with the left leaning commissioners who should be for free and open speech but rather than standing up for our rights they are wringing their hands and shaking their heads over trans fats ...I am an old, new left type that finds them hypocritcal at best ...

late night word.. all the screaming about right wing fundamentalists is a smoke screen for you lefties trying to infilitrate the world with your perversions.. marion you sound like one sick pup..

as for the topic, i believe people have a right in this country to choose where they shop and what they buy..
i don't see any difference if this biz is on mass st or on 6th... it could be worse. anyway i am assuming they don't have peep shows there or do they?

I've yet to understand the real problem here. Out of curiousosity I visited both stores. Both stores told me the at that point in time the greater majority of their business were college women. So what is the problem? Will the relocation prevent purchases of such items? I thought sex education was a good thing?

It would seem to me a man slapping his wife or girl friend around next door to me would be of greater concern. Or using resources to light up dark areas of town in hopes of reducing the number of rapes or thefts near campus.

when i was a kid lawrence used to be a place that was open to things and ideas. Now lawrence is a a total $#^& hole were the citys comision is a bunch of money hungry dumbasses. I want to say that my uncle has went though hell for this store and should be able to keep it! if lawrence kepts going on this way what will come next. no singing in your car ... humm lawrence needs to stand up for what they beleve in and fight back!

btw, thanks folks for your support of the store. One thing that needs to be cleared up here is that it's not the religious right that has been causing most of the problems for NBN. Ready for this??? It's the elitist left. Not one church in Lawrence has contacted the business complaining of where it is or what it sells. Ask Rundle and Boog why they want the business to close up. They spoke out against NBN back in 2000. Corliss is personally against NBN and told my brother so in a meeting at city hall.

Being on a highway is a smoke screen..... the problem with Corliss and others is that its located on Mass. St. Historic Mass. St. in Lawrence, KS. Businesses located on state highways are more apt to be robbed. Does the city of Lawrence wish to endanger the lives of people by forcing them to an area that statistics prove higher crime rates? It does in this case.

I don't watch much porn. I don't own any toys or sexual aids. And while I went to Mr. Osburn's shop a couple of times, both times with a female friend, I never bought anything, though one of my female friends did.

I swear to god, I wasn't dating her at the time. She was NOT trying to compensate for any lack of, um, girth...

In any case, on that one visit, Mr. Osburn was very professional while describing the care and maintanence of the vibrator my friend had bought. That just about sums up my whole experience with naughty but nice.

While I can't say that I'd be sad if NBN was to be shut down, it's not something I'd be happy about, either. I guess the best way to sum up my feelings on the subject is to say that I would have hardly noticed. Business open and close all the time. It's hardly something to get concerned about. I mean, if you don't like living in a capitalist society, feel free to move out to China, North Korea, or any other country that runs on a communist or theocratic government.

But the issue of note here is WHY this particular business is faced with the possibility of being shut down. Most businesses just don't have enough black ink when they shut down. Not enough sales to cover expenses. I'm almost certain that Mr. Osburn's establishment covers expenses, then maybe a little more. Heck, he probably even keeps decent records for taxes. The business is being targeted for what it sells.

We are a capitalist society. There are ways we are supposed to deal with businesses that sell things we don't like. That method, the only really acceptable one, is to avoid the business in question.

In other words, if you don't like sex toys, don't buy sex toys. If you don't like porn, don't buy porn. Further than that, you're not allowed to demand that people who like sex toys and porn are supposed to do without.

Like I said before, I don't use sex toys. I don't watch porn, usually. I do, however, have a fondness for books and paperclips. Maybe I'll have to make a third visit to Mr. Osburn's shop really soon.

To carolannfugate,
I do not drink coffee which allows clear thinking of this situation. After six years the store is still in business = demand = tax revenue = leave the store alone at this commercial location.

I have to say NBN has become a no issue thing when I drive down Mass daily. I do wonder what the group the closing it catering to though. The lot seems full and no fights or guns like you hear about at the Last Call and other area bars on and near Mass

It's not like he snuck in under cover of night and set up shop. The city had to have said "yes" at some point. What changed? With a name like "naughty but nice" the city can't claim they didn't understand what kind of store it would be!

Hmmm I think its silly to even have laws like this. People need to just take it easy. I mean its a porn store if you don't want to go in it then don't. If you want sexual education go to school... if you want to have fun with your sexual partner (or yourself) go to a porn store. The man is just trying to make a living! I am even planning on buying some things from there that are not porn, to help the Bulk of his Sales.

for gmemusic: You are uneducated. A FEW neighbors complained at the time NBN opened. Now most of them have no problem with the business. We are quiet and attract no illegal activities like some of the bars DOWNTOWN do. In fact, NBN has NEVER BEEN CITED for any thing of an illegal nature. Can most of the bars in Lawrence say that????

To let you know, NBN does donate to the charity auction for St. Patricks Day. You'd be surprised to know who buys what Richard donates. Not gonna reveal the name this time.

And.... do you have ANY idea what the costs are for relocating an existing business? The cost to start up NBN just for the remodeling was $12,000. You got that kinda loose cash on you? If so, I am sure you'd be happy to donate it. Lip service such as yours provides nothing.

Notice how rational animal completely ignores the whole Adam and Eve lovefest. What about it rational.....how does the offspring of Adam and Eve propagate the species without being in incestuous relationships. As Marion says, he isn't the one saying incest is ok...it is in the bible silly and with approval from God. One has to wonder rational, are you living in a fantasy world?

Osburn must be an outsider...don't you have to be part of the Good Ol' Boy Club to successfully operate a business in Lawrence? I have often wondered how anyone can get a fair shake when the businessmen, attorneys, developers and city "management" are all members of the same club.

yay for Rationalanimal. I was wondering how long it was going to be before someone started yelling 'THINK OF THE CHILDREN!!!" Leave this guy alone. Some of the uptight folks in this town blow my mind. He shouldn't have to move his store, he's done nothing wrong. I'm going to go by there this weekend and buy some stuff. Whoever said that above was right. We should show our support and all go buy a dildo or some nipple creme (the chocolate is the best, btw) or something. :)

Hey you guys are onto something. I think selling bibles there is a great idea. Everyone could just go buy bibles there. Richard, people will come Richard. They'll come to NBN for reasons they can't even fathom. They'll turn up your parking lot not knowing for sure why they're doing it. They'll arrive at your door as innocent as children, longing for the past. Of course, we won't mind if you buy bibles, you'll say. It's only $20 per person. They'll pass over the money without even thinking about it: for it is money they have and peace they lack. And they'll walk around your store. They'll find they have reserved spaces somewhere along the bookshelves, where they stood when they were younger and imagined their fantasies. And they'll dream and it'll be as if they dipped themselves in magic waters. The memories will be so thick they'll have to brush them away from their faces. People will come Richard. The one constant through all the years, Richard, has been sex. America has rolled by like an army of steamrollers. It has been erased like a blackboard, rebuilt and erased again. But sex has marked the time. This store, these gadgets: it's a part of our past, Rischard. It reminds of us of all that once was good and it could be again. Oh... people will come Richard. People will most definitely come.

One of my profs at KU many years ago agreed. He was married to a JApanese woman and lived there for many years. One thing he said was the porn was censored. They like porn but did not like hair in certain areas so it was blacked out. The irony was Strange SM stuff with blacked out sections.

Who can remember what business was in this guy's current location before him? Not me. Maybe when they get him to move out someone can open yet another liquor store. Lord knows we need more of those. Maybe a tobacco shop. Oh, I know, a Starbucks!

Hmmm... Marion, not sure what bible you read. As I remember the story, Adam and Eve ate the apple and doing so, realized they were naked and were ashamed and hid from God, who was walking through the Garden looking and calling for them. When He found them, he asked why they were hiding and they said it was because they were naked and ashamed. He accomodated them by clothing them, He didn't instruct it or command it, they wanted it.

Song of Solomon is all about the relationship between a man and a woman, so check it out, God CREATED sex and wants us to enjoy it. I believe that it is best when between a man and a woman in a marital relationship, but that's my belief and I give you the right to believe what you choose to believe, and if you want a store like this, have at it. Just move it somewhere else and call it done. Maybe he could find a shop near a Burger King and they could share the sign and slogan...

What Marion has cleverly attempted to do in this discussion, is shift the focus of the topic to christianity and the bible. Bibles aren't being sold in NbN. Its an irrelevant point. What Marion has tried to avoid by shifting the focus is responding to the empirical studies that identify a nexus between tremendous societal harm and pornography. What Marion has tried to avoid in shifting the focus in responding is the philosophical and moral issues that arise from pursuing unabated and permissive sexual fantasy pleasure. What Marion has attempted to do in shifting the focus is avoid the issue of property values, children, character of the business community that are defined and affected by the location of NbN.

Hey, blue, you gave me a great idea for a protest at NBN:
condom balloons in various shapes. you could even have a condom balloon figure making contest. okay, bring on the swinging spotlights, the bear, etc. we got it now!

I think we should all go buy something, anything, from the guy. I think i need more paperclips and pens anyway--- show support and all of that----
AND yes he should totally open shop accross from City Hall-- Bowhunter99--I would love to take friends and shwo them the SEX SHOP in lawrence --it would be a landmark!

PRUDES....I tell ya....PRUDES! Leave the poor guy to run his business.....if there wasn't a market for it.....it wouldn't exist. Just like the bible-thumping place! I suspect Naughty but Nice brings in more tax revenue that that bible store....LOL!

Property values.............. have NOT gone down because NBN is located on Mass. St. It was LEGAL to open up at that location and should remain so. How would like to open a business and the city arbitraily tell you to close up or move without any compensation after you had opened up legally in the first place? The city hasn't played fair from day one.

So until you armchair quarterbacks know what you are talking about, I highly suggest a "shut up".

This is just a couple from hundreds of studies. I've got you started so if you can pull yourselves away from the porn, you'd actually be able to confront reality. Porn is harmful to families, its harmful to society, its harmful to children, its harmful to the thousands of women in the industry that are exploited, its harmful to the women who are exploited against their will as sex slaves, its harmful to the thousands of children exploited, its harmful to children that are exploited as sex slaves, and its harmful to the individual that engages in it. All so Marion and most of you on here can go get a little cheap stimulation down at NbN. And yes, it is supported in fact and science that it plays a role in rape, violence and child sex crimes.

Aside from the attempts on here to cloud the issue as sexuality and the bible (grossly misquoted at that), the central issue is the City having the power to regulate what locations are appropriate for certain businesses. NbN has been given SIX years to find a new suitable complying location. Osbourn has taken advantage of the generosity of the City. Its time he obeyed the law like every other business in Lawrence.

Is he reading about the Gipper? Man, that's great. Boobs and Bonzo. All in one place. And they want to move this place? It isn't like he's selling drug paraphernalia(sp?) across the street from a junior high or anything.

instead of posting comments, lets all support this guy through city commission meetings...its ridiculous what this town has been reduced to ...by power hungry, power seeking parental type wannabes...i was born and raised in this town, and it used to be a nice quaint town, but over the course of the last 15 yrs it has been steadily getting more evil..its disgusting to have to live here...i am looking more into Missouri, Missourians are nice friendly people with a more relaxed less uptight, less narrow minded way of thinking..this is a total outrage ...its true, if you aren't a part of the "club" in this town, you dont stand a chance. It makes me wanna puke!

I'm a Christian. I like sex. A lot. And while it's about the pleasure (Yes! Yes! Yes!) and the passion, it's also about the mental and spiritual intimacy, and the comfort and reassurance of a solid relationship.

There are places a person can go to get "accomodated" for items sold at shops similar to the one in question here that make their emphasis on enhancing relationships rather than aiming simply for the general overall animalistic instinct (not that there's anything wrong with that...going with the instinct w/in context of above mentioned relationship is HOT).

These days, Christians have their own sex shops, thank you very much. :)

Just another example of the liberals who run the great city of Lawrence trying to run everyone's lives. They have been screwing with this man and his business for years. They should be ashamed of themselves, I don't know how they sleep at night. They made the law about being on a state highway specifically to screw with this business, knowing the other such business was on a state highway, and this one was not. This is just another reason why we are moving to Topeka, but it isn't much better. One day soon, there will be another American revolution. This one against our local, state, and federal governments. Thank you, Lynn

Welcome to the City of Lawrence, where we make it hard to run a business, and make up the rules as we go along. Also, don't be surprised if we choose to enforce the rules, regulations, and codes as we see fit - or as those whom we like at the moment would like us to do.

While this town works to get rid of anyone who would like to do business, Topeka, Manhattan, Olathe and others are busy finding ways to be accommodating to the individual owner, franchisee, or whatever type of business venture that wants to operate.

I am sure the town of Lawrence will not "close." But the face of the business community certainly is changing...good thing Halloween is around the corner, because it is not a pretty mask.

It's not like he is hanging huge dildos outside to show off his wares....I would be more worried about kids seeing porn at a convienence store.....you can allways tell them his store is a underwear store.

With the way Marion's foaming at the mouth (for some reason) about how progressives are behind every single little problem Lawrence faces, a lay person could almost (mistakenly) picture the city commission in a back room:

"All right, people, we've almost got Naughty But Nice. What's next? There's this nice house on Mass. Street near CJHS that looks like fun. Let's mess with their property rights because we don't have anything better to do!"

Marion--Christian fundies?! Could you elaborate? If I were closely allied with Christian fundies, I wouldn't openly acknowledge or talk about them either.

nbnozzy--- Many previous posts had questioned why the city and neighbors had let him be there for the last 6 years and "all of the sudden" wanted him out, and the point of my post was to say that it HAD been an issue from the beginning. He went into this KNOWING that there was controversy over the location and that he would be fignting to keep it open there as long as he sold the products he sells. That's the point. I think he also knew that the "controversy" would afford him some free publicity and advertising, which it has done, so kudos to him for being a good business man. Sex sells and controversy sells, and he's tapped into both.

Weighing the options (i.e. legal fees, fines, closing the business, etc.), I think 12 grand for relocating is a bargain, especially since I'm sure it can be tax deductible as a busness expense. No, I don't have it, but the money should be raised by those who want the business to continue anyway(you know, customers), not people who could care less or really don't want it there to begin with. I think that you have to come to a point where you realize that you have ridden out the controversy angle as far as it will go and move on. My guess is that this will be the little boost he needs to launch into the next phase, especially with the hints of secret plans....

Channel 4 and Channel 9 will be doing interviews in the store today (Monica Evans is doing a report with Richard as of this writing). They provide a much fairer and accurate reporting job than LJWorld does. The local reporters put their own slant to the story. I say this because they never want to hear about the double standard the city has with NBN and Priscillas. I have no ill feeling for the competitor, as competition is good. Its all about Mass St. people. Certain elements in Lawrence dont like the location..... a legal location for NBN when it opened in 1999. The city OWES it to Richard to pay for a relocation in an area that can continue to do the sales he is presently doing. Richard did nothing wrong when he opened the store. Its the city's onus if they don't like it, not his. A gentleman was in earlier who was born in 1916 and he purchased two adult movies. Said he wanted to see what the "fuss" was all about and stated that some folk need to get a life. I literally laughed out loud. So, from 18 to 90, NBN caters to a wide range of ages of consenting adults who wish to purchase adult and non-adult items.

As I recall, the city and neighbors (residents and businesses) never wanted this business here, but there was nothing on the books at the time to prohibit it. NBN got in through an oversight and like the weeds in my yard, got some deep roots in quickly, and now they are having difficulty getting him out. Personally, I think he should set up shop next door to the Bird, and maybe he could donate some goodies to the annual St. Patties Day Parade they sponsor. Can just see the look on momma's face when they pass THOSE out to the kiddies on the streets! It'd just be a head start on the stuff they pass out in the schools, I guess...

not-dolph, you suggested setting up shop in the East Lawrence Neighborhood, but really, how are the homeless in the shelter going to keep him in business? If the majority of the buyers are college girls, maybe he should get a spot up at the Union on campus? Maybe it could become part of SUA? Or maybe Compton could fit him in somewhere in the 6th and Wak development (it's on a state highway, right?) for all the desperate housewives over there who have the money and time to ejoy his wares? Oh no, that's right, you can't have it over there cause teh neighbors might actually SEE you going in to buy your porn and toys, so that's why you want to put it over on my side of town...

With all the vacant storefronts in this town, don't see why it's such a big deal to keep the store here. Stick a fork in it, call it done and move. Those who want to buy that stuff will find you in your new location and we'll all live happily ever after. They're not telling him he can't have the store, they just said he can't have it THERE.

I can find a study that says just about anything. That doesn't prove anything. There are millions of people who look at porn and/or use sex toys that have never raped anyone or participated in violence and child sex crimes. "Porn Gaze" is the stupidest thing I've ever heard of. The Bible is only a book and since NBN is now going to be Christian Book Store you can get copies there. Hopefully, the store will be there for another 6 years.

Merrill: Porn is not sex education. If it were, it would help people to learn more about the depths of intimacy with their partners instead of simply teaching them how to isolate themselves further from those they love with their KY in the bathroom. The fantasy replaces relationships, it doesn't enhance them. I know what I'm talking about.

This business owner can stock his shelves with all the Disney stuff he wants, but if he cannot demonstrate that the BULK of his SALES are coming from his "office supplies", etc., then he better start considering putting in some job applications.

Cranky, old, sexually frustrated men? Well, if that's what you want to think, fine, but it still beats emerging from pond scum or believing my great, great, great grandfather is an ape if you ask me. Oh, but you didn't, so I'll shut up now.

This is EXACTLY what I am talking about when I refer to the unwarranted, unjustified and offensive intrusion of the Fundamentalist Chrsitian Right into the private lives of others!"

How does any of that rant apply to what I said? I simply pointed out that you blamed God for Adam and Eve's shame (they owned that shame, but God lifted the shame), and that if you think sex is purely recreational and meaningless outside of ejaculation and fantasy (that's the vibe I got from your post), then I feel sorry for you. You can try every "position" in the book, and even throw in a goat... and never know the deeper pleasure of connecting with another person in the most profound way possible.

Trying to push the Lo-ord on people who are already happier? I suspect that what you claim has happened to some people (it's obvious that the "Lo-ord" that some are selling is but a cheap copy); but you are one of the angriest, most aggressive posters on these boards, so I doubt that applies to your situation.

You need to know that this stupid regulation was passed by the "old" City Commission, which was made up of people who worked for the developers.

Back then, the developers were courting the religious extremists and pushed their shills on the City Commission to run Naughty but Nice off of Massachusetts Street by passing a law (after the fact) that would force them to move.

It wouldn't be naughty, but would be nice if the current City Commission, which isn't beholden to the religious extremists, would get rid of this socialist and repressive regulation.

You might want to read what you are posting there buddy. Here is one paragraph out of one of the studies...

"In other words, sex offenders may become involved with pornography for a variety of reasons. Despite this involvement, there is no evidence of a causal link between viewing adult or child pornography and the commission of sexual crimes. The fact that some sex offenders, including child molesters, consume pornography, and some use it during the commission of a sexual offence does not mean that the pornography caused the offence to occur."

Hmmmm no evidence huh. Kind of the opposite of what you are saying....

Someone out there needs to get a life and let the man be. Geez people, you let him put the store in and now you are complaining about it.

He sells things for sexual aid. Theres nothing wrong with that. Some people need a bit of extra help at times. He also sells other items for other uses. I have gone in there plenty of times to buy gifts for friends getting married.

I say let the man stay where he is, run his buisness and live his life.

The "progressives" on the Commission should be worried about this issue as their collective stance is counter to the image they try to portray as liberals. I for one will have to re consider voting for that block again if they remain silent or support the zealots trying to shut down a harmless retail establishment..

Where to do pedophiles begin Marion? That's not to say every pedophile has his beginning in pornography. But are you saying NO pedophile has had a beginning in pornography? Are you saying the pornography does not amplify or play any factor in a child pornographer's or child molestor's devious actions?

Your earlier condescensions on the ills of christianity and mis-quoting Adam and Eve verses from the Bible (Adam and Eve discovered they were naked, God didn't tell them that, a big difference) take society down a horribly road. That is (and I hope I got your point adequately), you seemed to suggest sexuality should be this wonderful unabated and permissive fantasy filled experience. Society is founded in reality, not fantasy. For a society to pervasively exist in a permissive and unabated fantasy world would take us closer to an existence of solipism where one's subjective fantasy defines their behavior and how they interact with others. In such a scenario, beings outside of one's self are the pawns of an acute narcicisitic mindset. That's where guys like Ted Bundy, BTK and all the other serial killers come in. Victims are merely non-emperical actors in their world of fantasy. The stunning and horrible result is virtually no personal moral accountability for empirical actions.

The glaring fallacy in your logic, and the logic for many others on here, is that you assume pornography is a prerequisite to been sexually fulfilled. Maybe love left your equation of sexuality a long time ago, but many studies suggest that love is an indispensible component to sexual fulfillment (I know, I know, I haven't cited a parenthetical citation, your the guru of www's so go find it yourself, I doubt you'd believe what your found anyway). As the song goes: "You've been looking for love in all the wrong places" my friend. Give love a try.

So you want a quick thrill. Great, go get it. But, your seeming categorical denial of any ills arising from pornography (i.e. broken families, serial rapists, child sex abuse, loss of business productivity, and on and on and on) is on a grander scale of disingenuous than I'll ever dream of being (remember, I'm the one living in the empirical world here).

In the meantime, NbN is subject to comply with the same municipal laws that every other business owner in Lawrence has to. NbN does not have a right as a business to negatively impact the residential property values, or define how this community is perceived by visitors or residents of Lawrence.

This is all very simple. Its about the City regulating a business and requiring it to be in a location that is more appropriate for community on a broad basis. So, you porndogs will have to drive 3 or 4 more miles to the northenmost side of Lawrence to get your quick thrill, isn't anticipation part of the thrill?

to clutterbug..... thanks for asking. What NBN needs is an attorney who is willing to take on this case pro bono. Not looking for profit from the city on this from our prospective. Just want to be left alone to do the LEGAL business we've been doing since 1999.

People have been coming into the store today to buy the office supplies and books out of protest to the city. We thank them for that. Words are nice to hear, but its sales that keep the place open and pay for the rent, utilities, etc...

Richard does appreciate the Lawrence and surrounding community citizens that support NBN. He's a very decent guy and he is above board, unlike Corliss, Miller, et al... at city hall.

I don't really care whether the shop stays or goes. It's not really my thing, I tend to agree with Old Enough on the "sex" vs. the most intimate experience imaginable b/c your spouse waited for you and only you. Please take a moment and try to comprehend the following verse from the bible: "may you rejoice in the wife of your youth. A loving doe, a graceful deer-- may her breasts satisfy you always, may you ever be captivated by her love." I believe this is what Old Enough is describing to you w/o once trying to get into anyone's bedroom. Although Marion seems eager to tell all which occurs in his bedroom.

Why have you attacked Christianity regarding this issue? Why is attacking Christianity right under the surface for you two? I believe the brother of the store owner said the "religious right" (presumably born-again Christians) had nothing to do with this. If the store owner has been so misrepresented or so obviously abused by the city shouldn't appropriate attorneys be lining up to represent the store owner pro bono? What happened to you two that you are so angry and obsessed with bashing Christianity?
Do you hold yourselves to the same standards as you do Christians? You too are not perfect and error countless times per day. How do you account for it? Do you deny it? Do you rationalize it away? What do you do when someone angers you? What do you do when someone clearly wrongs you? Do you forgive them? Jesus Christ is not left, right, liberal, conservative, Democrat or Republican but he was and is perfect.

Do either of you have faith? What do you have faith in? How do you prove that which requires you to have faith? Apply the same critical method used to ridicule Christianity and its followers to that which requires you to have faith.

Kodiac, I know you well or so I thought. We have been friends for a long time spending countless hours discussing religion from our significantly different perspectives. Our discussions had always taken place in an environment of respect and friendship. I feel like I've seen a new and creepy side of you and it makes me really sad. Sad for you both.

I agree there are people who need these stores. I was talking to a male friend who is in a dead end marriage a not long ago.
The poor guy is forced to have affairs because his wife is so.. well lame.
I asked him what his master plan was and he responed with "Jack off and hope for the best"

Too sad indeed.
But I suppose a woman like that isn't open to a little inspiration.

Linda Finger and Sheila Stogsdill have authorized MANY documents that they SHOULDN'T have.

936 North 3rd Street, for example:
1) No Used Car License issued by KS Dept of Revenue

2) No Salvage License issued by KS Dept of Revenue

3) This area is NOT ZONED FOR SUCH USE

4) KS Junkyard Act: "MUST be PROPERLY SCREENED FROM VIEW" - someone please drive by and tell me, can you or can you not see EVERYTHING, from the street (also State Hwy 40)?

5) No site plan has ever been submitted - nor approved
yet this "business" is open all day, every day

YET, Sheila happily signed her authorization to a KDOT (Kansas Department of Transportation) document, which stated the City of Lawrence grants permission for 3,000 junked and/or wrecked vehicles, parts, and mountainous miscellaneous landfill debris to be "stored" there.

EVERYBODY knows this is not "storage," but a place of business. Money is being transacted there; THIS is where people go to buy and sell all the skid row HOOPTIES you see driving all over.

Nobody from Zoning Enforcement or Weed Control care.

ALSO - WHY is the owner of 1106 Rhode Island Street (directly East of the cop shop) allowed to store like 50 rusting old cars - not on an "improved surface," as City Law requires, but just sitting on bare ground - behind a really ugly old falling-apart wooden fence?

No; they're far too busy bothering YOU guys, to notice the REAL eyesores that everybody knows about. They're like the 3 monkeys, over there at City Hall.

Back to rationalanimal's critique on porn, since this discussion seems to continue to be open to tangents:

There are a number of problems with what most people consider to be porn (and granted, not everyone will define it the same way).

First, there are issues with exploitation and objectification of human beings in some cases. Some people may participate willingly in the activities that produce porn media, some may not. I'd say child pornography is a good example of exploitation.

As to objectification, do you care about that person in the picture/video etc. as a human being with thoughts, concerns, and feelings, who may have chosen porn media as a career because they find it to be satisfying work, but also who may have chosen it because they have to put food on the table and don't have the mental or emotional resources to find other work options? Would you notice if it were your sister or your mother, or is tossing off your main concern? (Some of you won't, some of you will.)

Second, porn is like a drug for some people. There are people who can view porn and then go on with their lives as responsible human beings. But there are also people for whom porn becomes their life, edging out work, other relationships, and other interests. It's an addiction just like drugs or alcohol--they have to have it.

I know of 2 people who ended up being fired at work because they couldn't leave the porn alone long enough to do their jobs. One was in banking, the other was actually director of a religious denomination's charitable organization.

And actually, according to an article awhile back in a Christian magazine (I think it was Christianity Today but can't remember for sure), pastors are probably more at risk for this addiction than most of us. They're under pressure all the time to maintain a "pastoral" image, to be a leader, and there's also the big lie that exists in some circles that Christians aren't supposed to enjoy sex.

And third, while perhaps a couple might use it to satisfy each other, porn is usually all about self-satisfaction, the great big Hoover-heaver suck of self (no pun intended). Much of it's geared to what society perceives that all men fantasize about--bigger, harder, faster--without educating men about how to really please a woman sexually. (And probably vice versa.) And although fantasy has it's place, if it's fantasy to the exclusion of relationship, then what you have is just another bathroom function, like peeing.

As the owner of 8 similar shops in Florida, we have also had our problems. The sex police, frustrated with their own lives and driven by the publicity generated by their inane moves which make the titilating part of the evening news, ignore free speech and always throw up crap about protecting children.
First of all, none of the store owners(over 200) I am familiar with allow children in their stores. We don't even want the 18-25 crowd generally.
"The only reason I am responding to this situation is our local dumbass news in Jacksonville, Fla led their evening broadcast with "Sex store sells pencils and paper clips in an effort to circumvent law"-30 minutes later they had a 7 second segment.
"Sex sells" is an old adage, and is proven hourly on television and the media. I predict that the conservative left-wingers trying to drive this man out of business have never been in his store-he probably has greeting cards, bachelorette, over the hill, hosiery, lingerie, gag gifts etc, but they will concentrate on dvds and dildoes.
Half the people in the USA are afraid the other half are enjoying life, and they want to stop it. I wish him the best of luck in his fight, and suggest putting a couple of 55 gallon drums in the store filled with "atomic fireballs" or such for sale at $9.99. That would give him about 25,000 more units of inventory. It won't work, but might slow down the authorities until the rapture when they will leave us to enjoy ourselve peacefully.

Best to all, Ron
St. Augustine-the oldest Catholic diocese in the new world.

I doubt if you ever read this but just in case you do I will respond to your posting. I find it curious that you claim to know me because anyone who does know me will tell you right off the bat that I have always been the skeptic and willing to poke fun or see absurdity on just about anything from a religious standpoint (all religions that is). You claim that this topic is not about christianity but then turn around and support the christian viewpoints and use christian ideals to discuss the topic at hand. Please note, I didn't bring it up personally and there were many other posters talking about this particular topic in view of religion. So what if the brother of the store owner claims that it wasn't the far right christians. Who cares. Heck man even rational animal was dealing with the religious issues long before I talked about it. But I did notice that you did not say anything to those posters but only to me and Marion. Why is that? Do the viewpoints we express challenge your own faith. You ask me if I have any faith and it seems the more appropiate question should be why does ye have such little faith. Why would anything I am saying anger you. I am not responsible for your anger. I did not cause that anger in you. You are the one that got bent out of shape. I merely poked fun at what I see as religious intolerance and I am being persecuted for it. Am I not free to express my thoughts and beliefs even though they go against your own beliefs or poke fun at your viewpoints. Why can't I mock the bible because I think it is a mythical document. Can't I say that without being told I am intolerant and hateful. It would seem that your idea of tolerance, respect comes under a conditional requirement of I can't say anything about what my beliefs are if they impugn on your beliefs. Do I hold myself to the same standards as I do Christians? I don't even know how to answer that statement. I didn't realize I was holding anyone to a standard much less me to a standard. Ditto with perfection. I guess I am clueless as to why you are even bringing it up? You say that Jesus is perfect well I disagree with that and I think that idea is silly after all Jesus was human. Does that make you mad? Does that mean I disrespecting you. No freaking way dude. I didn't say you can't have that belief, I simply expressed my own thoughts on the matter.

Believe me bjamnjm I have said and done far worse things than I did here so maybe you can't be friends with me anymore. You claim that I am being dishonest about who I am but such a claim is based on your own perceptions of who I am. I can only say that it would seem to me that you only accept me if I am a certain way or if I conform to your ideals. I am sorry bj that I don't stay between the lines or that my own personal beliefs constantly change. I am hoping I am saying all of this without anger and am not lashing out at you. As for the rest of the personal stuff, well I think that pretty much is a done deal. I guess there is some truth to the idea that all good things must come to an end. I am sorry to lose your friendship. Maybe we will just have to start over again....